it never fails for people with preconceived notions to close their eyes to reality and keep spewing the sense nonsense that maybe made sense a few years ago.

Why call Ferrer a grinder? The guy has ANNIHILATED the competition this year on clay and especially at RG with aggression, net touch and exquisite returning. Sure, the guy is little and lacks the easy power of a Federer or Tsonga but it doesn't mean he is not trying to push the envelope and dictates proceedings on the court.

Today he was 17/22 at the net in three easy sets......that's outstanding. His backhand has improved since last year and the IO forehand it's always a weapon.

another member talking about Nadal/Ferrer matches this years, failed to mention that Ferrer was only two points away from winning at Rome....Nadal kind of got lucky to escape that one.

Ferrer in the previous eras before Rafa/Roger/Novak, would have accumulate a lot of hardware on clay with a couple of RGs to boot. He its the evolution of your great claycourter from the past (Nadal it's an anomaly).

I say he might have a chance IF Nadal it's not up to task physically. He has the game to push Rafa. Anyways, Rafa is the GOAT and GOAT normally win the matches they are suppose to win.....just like today; not even a confident Djokovic and his dead coach couldn't change the outcome.

Tsonga also seemed rather flat to me, maybe as a result of his victory over Federer. Jo didn't attack, rarely came to the net. He didn't seem to have a real plan against Ferrer. He needed to serve better, attack more, and overpower Ferrer. He didn't do any of those things well enough. So David Ferrer won in 3 sets.

This s**t should come as no surprise to anyone who's watched Tsonga over the years.

Nothing about his performance today was either remarkable or unpredictable.

Being a Tsonga fan is sort of like riding a roller coaster.

Here I was excited by the way he played against Federer and looking forward to his chances of taking home a slam. I think he might have been able to take advantage of a tired Nadal a little more than Ferrer.

Only thing to see here is if Ferrer will win more or less games than Federer in 2008. Ultimately it's going to be a straight set victory for Nadal on Sunday, one close set max.

Tsonga also seemed rather flat to me, maybe as a result of his victory over Federer. Jo didn't attack, rarely came to the net. He didn't seem to have a real plan against Ferrer. He needed to serve better, attack more, and overpower Ferrer. He didn't do any of those things well enough. So David Ferrer won in 3 sets.

This s**t should come as no surprise to anyone who's watched Tsonga over the years.

Nothing about his performance today was either remarkable or unpredictable.

Being a Tsonga fan is sort of like riding a roller coaster.

Here I was excited by the way he played against Federer and looking forward to his chances of taking home a slam. I think he might have been able to take advantage of a tired Nadal a little more than Ferrer.

Only thing to see here is if Ferrer will win more or less games than Federer in 2008. Ultimately it's going to be a straight set victory for Nadal on Sunday, one close set max.

haha It's hard to get less games than Fed did that year Granted, Nadal and Ferrer played last year in similar conditions, and it was a complete obliteration for Nadal. I don't see it being much different this year. Nadal played too well against Nole. He ran from the finish line in the fourth set, but he won't do that against Ferrer. He has no reason to be nervous against Ferrer. Ferrer's record against Rafa is abysmal, and if you look at clay, it's even worse.

it never fails for people with preconceived notions to close their eyes to reality and keep spewing the sense nonsense that maybe made sense a few years ago.

Why call Ferrer a grinder? The guy has ANNIHILATED the competition this year on clay and especially at RG with aggression, net touch and exquisite returning. Sure, the guy is little and lacks the easy power of a Federer or Tsonga but it doesn't mean he is not trying to push the envelope and dictates proceedings on the court.

Today he was 17/22 at the net in three easy sets......that's outstanding. His backhand has improved since last year and the IO forehand it's always a weapon.

another member talking about Nadal/Ferrer matches this years, failed to mention that Ferrer was only two points away from winning at Rome....Nadal kind of got lucky to escape that one.

Ferrer in the previous eras before Rafa/Roger/Novak, would have accumulate a lot of hardware on clay with a couple of RGs to boot. He its the evolution of your great claycourter from the past (Nadal it's an anomaly).

I say he might have a chance IF Nadal it's not up to task physically. He has the game to push Rafa. Anyways, Rafa is the GOAT and GOAT normally win the matches they are suppose to win.....just like today; not even a confident Djokovic and his dead coach couldn't change the outcome.

Too lazy to coin another term for his style of play.I certainly admire his accomplishments with the tools he's had to work with.'A great record on clay,aggression, net touch (when in position), and a great ROS' don't negate the fact that he's a very conservative player who typically wears his opponents down with consistent play. Yes, his serve has improved, but I wouldn't consider it a primary weapon in his arsenal. Those would be his consistency, fitness, and focus. All hallmarks of a grinder (or whatever new term you'd like to use).

But hey, that's just the uniformed opinion of a 40 year tennis player, coach, mentor, equipment junkie, stringer, and fan. That doesn't make it right.

On a side note, it's hard keeping up with all the pre-match chatter here at T4U regarding the approaching WTA final between two of the biggest stars on that tour.